Marina Morabito

Dr. Marina Morabito is an Associate Professor in Systematic Botany at the Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina (UniME), Italy, where she has served since 2018. She coordinates the Marine and Terrestrial Environmental Sciences degree program and is affiliated with the National Consortium Interuniversity for Marine Sciences (Co.NISMa.). Her academic journey began with a Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Messina in 1997 (110/110 cum laude), followed by a PhD in Algae Biology from the same institution in 2001.

Her research focuses on the biology and systematics of macroalgae, particularly Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta, with expertise in systematics and molecular phylogenetics, DNA barcoding, non-indigenous species, algal cultivation and cryopreservation, extraction of bioactive compounds, and morphogenesis studies. She serves as curator of the Phycological Lab Herbarium (PhL) and coordinator of the Laboratory of Molecular Phylogenetics at UniME.

Dr. Morabito's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on Mediterranean marine ecosystems, DNA barcoding applications, forensic botany, and the biotechnological potential of algae. Her work spans fundamental research on algal taxonomy and systematics to applied studies on bioremediation, environmental protection, and sustainable resource utilization. A notable trend is her increasing integration of molecular techniques with ecological and forensic applications.

• Government of Canada Research Fellowship (2005)
• Premio Società Botanica Italiana for outstanding PhD thesis in Botany (2003)

As an educator, Dr. Morabito teaches Systematic Botany, Plant Biology, and related courses across multiple degree programs. She has directed numerous theses for triennial, master's, and PhD students since 2006 and serves on various doctoral school committees. Her research collaborations span institutions in Canada, France, Spain, Denmark, Russia, Morocco, and the United States. She has secured funding for multiple research projects related to fish pathology, aquaculture innovation, and algal biodiversity assessment. Her laboratory work focuses on molecular phylogenetics, phycology, and the curation of algal specimens in the Phycological Lab Herbarium.